PARADISE UNIFIED

SCHOOL DISTRICT

2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR PLANNING GUIDE

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT GUIDANCE AND DIRECTIVES ARE RAPIDLY CHANGING.

AS THESE CHANGE, SO MAY OUR PLANS. IN THE CASE THAT THERE CAN BE NO

FACE- TO- FACE PUSD IS PREPARED TO SERVE ALL OF OUR STUDENTS THROUGH

ONLINE LEARNING AND INDEPENDENT STUDY

Priorities for Returning to School

Safety of

Students and Staff

Social Emotional wellbeing of

Students and Staff

High Levels of Learning for all

Students

TK-6 Grade

• Elementary Half Day Model – AM/PM

o Monday – Thursday half the kids in the morning and half in the

afternoon.

o On Fridays, teachers will be on campus for online student check-ins,

grade level meetings, collaboration time, and prep time.

o Teachers will focus on essential core curriculum areas: Reading,

Writing, Math, and Science while students are on campus.

7th – 12th Grade • Secondary Alternating Days Model

o Half the students attend M/W all periods. Half the students attend T/Th

attend all periods. On Friday teachers would hold scheduled online

office hours based on a normal 7-12 schedule.

PUSD Options to Return

for 2020-21 ▪ TRADITIONAL MODEL

Students in grades TK-12 will attend school Monday through

Friday in a traditional classroom environment with face-to-face

instruction from their teachers. A typical classroom is 960

square feet. This would be 26.6 people in a classroom. All

attempts will be made to keep class sizes at 24 students.

In order to limit the spread of the Coronavirus while on school

grounds, general safety precautions will occur throughout the

day. They include, but are not limited to, taking students' temperatures upon their

arrival at school with thermal-temperature scanners, face coverings being worn by

staff and students while at school, practicing social distancing whenever possible,

utilizing plastic desk shields, hand washing or sanitizing occurring multiple times

throughout the day, and keeping students in smaller group settings.

▪ HYBRID MODEL

A hybrid model allows students in each grade to have some face-to-face instruction

each week with their teacher. When at home students will complete extension

activities, I-Ready, projects, etc. Examples of hybrid models could be as follows:

▪ DISTANCE LEARNING MODEL

ONLINE LEARNING

Students in grades TK-12 will attend an online classroom environment via Zoom

or Google Classroom and will be required to participate on a daily basis and

engage in online learning using our approved curriculum. Families must have

access to daily internet connectivity. Those families that do not will be provided a

chrome book and hotspot. If connectivity is not an option, families may choose the

Traditional Schedule or Independent Study program.

Distance Learning will be graded and failure to participate in the distance learning

model on a daily basis will negatively affect grades and attendance results.

INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAM

Families with unique needs that cannot be met by a traditional

schedule or distance learning may be interested in our

independent study/home school program for students in Grades

TK-12. An educational program is provided that is student and

family driven and specifically designed for the unique needs of

the student and family. In this model, families work 1:1 with a

credentialed teacher for one hour per week via face-to-face

contact. In this model the parent or guardian becomes the primary

teacher. PUSD will provide all necessary curriculum, 1:1 teacher support, and

teacher office hours. Grades in this program are done on a Credit/No Credit

format.

IMPORTANT:

• Staff will be assigned at the beginning of the year to a program based on need. Students

who wish to transfer from one program to another may do so only at the semester.

• It is possible that the guidelines from CDHP, CDC, CDE, and the Governor could

change. If restrictions are increased and schools would not be able to open with a

traditional schedule PUSD is prepared to offer a hybrid model, online learning, or

independent study for all of our students. A hybrid model would include some face to

face learning as well as distance learning. The following are possible schedules for a

hybrid model.

• PUSD intends to offer the Distance Model for any family who does not want to do the

Hybrid Model of Traditional Model.

Letter from the Superintendent

Dear Students, Parents and Guardians, and Community,

As these plans were developed the focus was to ensure the

upmost safety for students and staff no matter which model

we are directed to follow. The ultimate goal would be to have

students return face-to-face five day a week. However, it is

very possible that directives from the Governor or health

agencies may dictate that we return to school with a hybrid

model or distance learning. If these directives are received we

would follow the schedule for the hybrid model or full on

distance learning. If it were a hybrid model the safety

precautions would remain the same.

I want to thank you all for your commitment to learning. Last

year did not end as anyone had hoped. We know that our

students should be a priority, and that education is a path to a

better future. Without the work of all our students, parents,

and staff, learning would not have continued to happen.

Despite all of the challenges we faced, we, all of us together, made it work. As we move into the new

year we will do the same.

PUSD understands that our families have many different needs. There are also many different beliefs and

comfort levels that people hold in regards to what next school year will look like. At PUSD we are

striving to meet all of your needs. In our most recent phone calls and surveys about 73 percent of our

families want to have face to face instruction. At the present time we have three models that will help

address those needs. The first is a traditional schedule. Under this model we would make all efforts to

keep classes below 24 students per class. The second model would be an online learning model.

Students would be required to attend class through Zoom or Google classroom, while using our approved

curriculum and grades would be affected by attendance. A third model would be Independent Study. In

our Independent Study model students would be required to meet with a teacher one hour each week and

the parents would be the primary teacher. Curriculum would be provided by PUSD and grades would be

based on a Credit/No Credit format.

Over the past three weeks a committee consisting of parents, staff, and administration met to determine

the details and safety needs in order to make our schools as safe as possible and still meet the needs of our

families. The plan is an outline of how PUSD will make this happen. Some of these safety plans include

masks, additional sanitization, social distancing, hand sanitization stations in each classroom, additional

washing stations, and increased sanitization of classrooms and high traffic areas.

I understand that there are many concerns regarding COVID-19 and the safety of all. I also want you to

know whichever program you choose for your student, PUSD is committed to providing the best

education and services to you so your child continues to receive a high level of learning based on quality

instruction.

If you have further questions, please feel free to contact our district office.

Thank you

Tom Taylor, Superintendent

Our Mission The mission of Paradise Unified School District, as the educational leader of the

community, is to graduate knowledgeable, productive, responsible citizens who are

motivated to continue learning and are able to function successfully, with integrity,

in a complex, changing world.

Our Goals The district's specific goals are created with participation and input from business

and community members, parents, teachers, staff member and administrators.

These goals are then revised periodically to best reflect the community's needs and

desires for its school district.

Our community's goals for education are: • Graduate 100% of our students by providing multiple pathways to meet

graduation requirements

• All students competent in basic skills

• Technology skills for all students and staff in well-equipped, interconnected

schools

• Character education for all students and competence in interpersonal skills

• Educational programs to meet the individual needs of all students

• Partnerships with home for academic learning and student conduct.

• Reciprocal partnerships with the community in which our schools are

community learning centers

• Disciplined, safe, alcohol- and drug-free schools

• Provide for smaller schools and class sizes

• Professional development for staff

Parent Survey Results

THE FIRST SURVEY WAS TAKEN AT THE END OF MAY

RESULTS OF PERSONAL PHONE CALLS*

Face to Face 5 Days/Week

Split Schedule

Distance Learning

Independent Study

Number of families indicating each program

Grades 7-12

206 58 8 6

*Calls were made June 10-June 30

Guiding Principles to Reopening School

• Keeping students at the center of our focus

• Address the safety and health of all students and staff.

• Address the safety and health of all students and staff.

• Address the impact of safety guidelines on student learning and well-being.

• Address and, to the extent possible, minimize impact on families by utilizing

guiding documents from the federal, state, county, and public health agencies.

PROCESS:

Through a series of three meetings

parents, staff and community

members used the guidelines from

the California Department of

Health, California Department of

Education, Center for Disease

Control, and directives from the

Governor of the state of California

to develop the Planning Guide to

reopen schools.

What Students, Staff and Families Can Expect

Safety and Sanitization at the sites • Families/students, adults and staff are recommended to

take temperatures daily before going to school. Anyone

with a fever of 100.4 or higher should not go to a school

site.

• Families/students, adults and staff should also screen

themselves for respiratory symptoms such as cough and

shortness of breath prior to coming to school each day.

• Families/students, adults and staff experiencing those symptoms should not

attend school.

• Staff are expected to take their temperatures each day or be screened by other

staff. The same will apply to any visitors or volunteers. The goal will be to

minimize visitors.

• Student will have their temperatures checked each day when arriving at school.

Temperature checks will be done using a touchless thermometer or a scanner.

• Wear masks as long as it is directed by the Governor.

• Additional sanitization will be done in each class and high traffic areas.

• Additional hand sanitization stations will be provided throughout the classroom

and in each classroom.

• Additional hand washing stations will be provided at each campus.

• Windows and doors will be open as much as possible to provide ventilation.

• Additional disinfecting guidelines developed by Centers for Disease Control for

school campuses including classrooms, workspaces, outdoor spaces and

playgrounds will be followed.

• Provide appropriate signage as outlined by CDC, CDE, and CDHP.

• Provide appropriate training for staff regarding cleaning of classrooms as

outlined by CDC, CDE, and CDHP.

Other General Safety Precautions • Students will not share supplies or materials

• Physical barriers may be installed where social

distancing is not possible.

• All students and staff will be encouraged to

wash/clean their hands regularly.

• Masks will be given to students and staff.

• Staggered recesses at the TK-6 level.

• Marked traffic patterns on campuses.

• Identified entry and exit points

• Social Distancing as practicable

o Keep students in smaller groups.

o Space desks as far apart as possible within the room.

o Keep classrooms from mixing

o No large gatherings such as assemblies, dances, and sporting events

• Provide a location for students who are not feeling well so that interaction is

limited

• Use outdoor spaces as much as possible for classrooms.

Transportation • Students wear masks on buses as long as

mandated by the Governor

• Revise routes to reduce the number of students

on each bus

• Sanitize buses after each run

• When possible keep bus windows open to

improve ventilation

This health and safety guidance has been recommended by the State of California

and Butte County Public Health for the reopening of schools based on current

information and will be updated as the situation changes.

Food Services PUSD Food Services is planning for 4 meal service models.

1. ONSITE MEAL SERVICE:

• Assess whether to serve meals in the classroom or

cafeteria or to use outdoor seating.

• Provide at least 6 feet of physical distancing or a

physical barrier between tables.

• Provide physical guides

• Remove or suspend the use of shared tables and self-

service buffets

• Consider increasing access points for providing meal services.

2. CLASSROOM DELIVERY WITH CLASSROOM DINING MODEL

• Breakfast in the classroom

3. OFFSITE MEAL SERVICE (WITH APPROVED USDA WAIVERS)

• Offer grab-n-go student meals for consumption at home, including drive-

through, delivery, curbside pick-up options.

• Assess whether there are students who are unable to access school meal

distribution sites and identify ways to address these gaps.

4. BLEND OF ON-SITE & TAKE HOME

HEALTH & HYGIENE PROMOTION:

• Teach and reinforce handwashing and use a cloth face covering by employees

when near other employees or students.

• Have adequate supplies for both employees and students including soap, hand

sanitizer, and tissues.

• Post signs on how to stop the spread of COVID-19.

CLEANING & SANITATION:

• Update standard operating procedures for sanitation of school kitchens,

cafeterias, food warehouses, and central production kitchens.

• Train all employees on health and safety protocols, including correct

application of disinfectants and maintaining physical distancing.

• Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently touched by students during meals

service, including tables, chairs, carts used in transportation, and point-of-

service touch pads. Use timers for cleaning reminders.

MEAL PREPARATION:

• Ensure gloves, masks, disposable aprons, and other supplies are readily

available.

• Promote fresh healthy menu options that are individually plated meals and pre-

portioned and pre-wrapped produce.

• Use disposable trays and wrap cold items in plastic and hot food in foil.

• Consider how workstations can be reorganized for proper physical distancing

during meal preparation & service.

• Adjust employee shifts to minimize the number of staff in the kitchen.

Student and Staff

Mental Health and Wellness For our students in Paradise it is critical that we continue to the

work to provide services for our students and staff. We know

that some students and staff will experience fear and anxiety

because of COVID. We continue to be committed to

supporting student and staff social-emotional wellness and

offering resources to ensure students transition back to school

smoothly. Supports include the following

• Crisis Counseling

• Butte County Office of Education Counselor

• Youth For Change Counselors

• Screenings for students so that we may recognize need

• KELVIN- An Aeries based program that allows communication and

outreach to students

• SAHSMA – A grant to assist in providing students support and education

regarding substance abuse

• RULER – Social Emotional Learning Curriculum to assist teachers in

providing SEL lessons

• Mindful Littles – Teaches strategies to our students that build resilience

• Training for staff

o Dr. Bruce Perry – Trauma Informed Practice

o Capturing Kids Hearts – Relationship Building

o Mindful Littles – Resiliency Strategies

• PBIS Practices at each site

• SEL Practices at each site

• TRSS Committee

We recognize that our entire community is still in the recovery mode from the

Camp Fire. It is vital that we continue to communicate with our students so that

we may provide them with support. The current programs we provide assist the

staff in identifying students who may be at risk. Once we know that a student

could be at risk, we can provide them with the supports they need. At the same

time, we realize that many students may feel they do not need support. We feel it

is important to still provide strategies that assist all students in dealing with trauma.

Our classroom programs are aimed to do just that.

Courses/Class Modification Classes and activities that require students to congregate may be limited and

modified as guidelines change. Some courses may need modifications on how the

course will be taught if social distancing is not feasible or when there is an

increased risk for spreading the virus. Some examples of this include courses like

Band and Chorus.

Childcare Needs Currently Paradise Unified School District works with the Butte County Office of

Education and Butte County Boys and Girls Club to provide after school

supervision for students. Due to changing guidelines, it is possible that students

could attend minimum days or alternative days. We will continue to offer the same

partnership with both of these groups and explore how we may be able to expand

our After-School Programs to fill an increased need.